This policy ask proposes comprehensive reforms to British Columbia’s (BC’s) sexual education curriculum that emphasize consent, sexual well-being, gender-equitable relationships, and the full-inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Why? Because sexual assault is the only violent crime that is not in decline, and gender-based and sexual violence continue to be a reprehensibly common occurrence in BC. 1 2
Though it may be deeply entrenched in our patriarchal world, gender-based and sexual violence is 100% preventable. Teaching comprehensive sexuality education (“sex-ed”) can play an integral role in eradicating gender-based and sexual violence by creating a culture of consent, gender-equitable relationships, and proactive sexual health amongst BC youth. If we fail to teach these integral lessons, we will subject another generation of children, youth, and young adults to reprehensible harm.